District Quartet Champions: The Buzz
In honor of Buzz Haeger, a Lifetime Member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, renowned arranger and International Quartet Champion with the Four Renegades Quartet, to reward the new District Champion Quartet.
The presentation is made after the Saturday Quartet finals. At the completion of the contest, before the winners are announced, the retiring champion will do their swan song. On completion, the current QCA President presents them with individual trophies. On the announcement of the top three quartets, prior champions present 3rd and 2nd place medals, then the retiring champions present the 1st place lapel pins and “The Buzz” traveling trophy.
Retiring champions present the 1st place lapel pins and “The Buzz” traveling trophy.
The Illinois District Quartet Champion is that quartet, which, through two rounds of competition, receives the highest total scores.
The Contest Administrator(CA) receives the scores for each competitor from the judging panel. The CA enters the scores into the Society Scoring Program. When all scores have been entered, the program sorts the scores and determines placement for each eligible competitor. The OSS (Official Scoring Summary) is then printed.
Lapel pins for the top three quartets are provided by the Awards Committee. The Buzz Traveling Trophy was created by the QCA. The presentation and maintenance of the travelling trophy, is the sole responsibility of the QCA.
Ryan Latinette (T), Doug Brooks (L), Steve Martin (Br), Paul Shulte (Bs)
Chapter(s): Belleville, St. Charles MO
IMPROV
2025
Tyler Leibengood (T), Shane Frantz (L), Mitch Greenberg (Br), Steve Schoultz (B)
Chapter(s): Northbrook
TRIPLE THREAT
2024
Lincoln Beutel (T), Evan Patrick (L), Tim Beutel (Br), Ben Light (Bs)
Chapter(s): Bloomington
LINC 182
2023
L to R: Nathan Gross (Br), Dan Mulligan (Bs), Lucas Bauer (L), Frank Blackman (T)
Chapter(s): Bloomington, Frank Thorne
ONSET
2022
L to R: Greg Lee (Br) Jeffrey Lathom (L), Steve Schoultz (Bs), Steve Davis (T)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Frank Thorne
LAKE SHORE DRIVE
2021
No contest held this year due to COVID-19 lockdown
Chapter(s):
NO CONTEST
2020
L to R: Patrick Henders (Br), Benjamin Dirks (Lead), Gregory Martin (Bs), Craig Hall (T)
Chapter(s): Chicagoland West Suburban, Rockford Metro, Sterling Rock Falls, Frank Thorne
CENTER RING
2019
L to R: Ben Mills (T), Ben Light (Bs), Mark Servos (L), Nathan Gross (Br)
Chapter(s): Bloomington, West Towns, St. Charles MO
INTERLUDE
2018
L to R Across the Back: Tim Woodall (L), Bret Reinthaler (Bs), Craig Ahlgrim (Br), front: Bryan Reeder (T)
Chapter(s): Coles County, Chicagoland West Suburban, DuPage Valley, Bloomington
SOUTH OF NORMAL
2017
L to R: Kevin Mclelland (Br), Matt Carlen (L), Mike Lietke (T), Bottom: Brett Mulford (Bs)
Chapter(s): Bloomington
THE COMMITTEE
2016
John Davis (Br), Jay Giallombardo (Bs), Oliver Merrill (L), Steve Davis (T)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Bloomington
UNION STATION
2015
Tim Pashon (L), Tim Mahannah (T), Andy Isbell (Bs), Rich Hansen (Br)
Chapter(s): Sterling Rock Falls, Bloomington, Frank Thorne, St. Charles MO, Coles County
DRIVE TIME
2014
Don Deegan (Br), John Davis (L), Donovan Davis (Bs), Steve Davis (T)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Bloomington, Frank Thorne
CHRONICLE
2013
Colin “Max Power” Stevenson (T), Chris Weber (L), Greg Martin (Bs), and John Dorgan (Br)
Chapter(s): Rockford Metro, Appleton WI, Frank Thorne
VELVET HAMMER
2012
Terry Ludwig (T), Tim Pashon (L), Bret Reinthaler (Bs), Craig Ahlgrim (Br)
Chapter(s): Bloomington, Sterling Rock Falls, DuPage Valley
WALDORF HAIR COMPANY
2011
Ben Harding (L), Tim Beutel (T), Kevin McClelland (Br), Dan Wessler (Bs)
Chapter(s): Bloomington, St. Charles MO
AFTER HOURS
2010
Don Deegan (Br), Craig Ahlgrim (T), Scott Diehl (Bs), Tim Pashon (L)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Sterling Rock Falls, Chicagoland West Suburban
OFF THE RECORD
2009
Pat Henders (Br), Steve Davis (T), Mike Woods (L), Duane Fenn (Bs)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Frank Thorne
RUSH STREET
2008
Clockwise from left: Jay Giallombardo (Bs), Paul Harris (Br), Joel Beets (T), Keith Harris (L)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Frank Thorne
VOCE
2007
Clockwise from left: Doug Smith (Bs) Joe Krones (L), Craig Ahlgrim (T), George Sotos (Br)
Chapter(s): Chicagoland West Suburban, Northbrook
STOLEN BASSES
2006
Tim Carter (T), Mark Betczynski (Br), Doug Smith (Bs), Dan Starr (L)
Chapter(s): Chicago Metro, Chicagoland West Suburban, Northbrook
SKYLINE
2005
Bob Tempas (T), George Harper (L), Duane Fenn (Bs), Paul Saeger (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Frank Thorne
LAKESIDE EDITION
2004
Rick Anthoney (T), Ken Gillie (L), George Sotos (Bs), Mark Keever (Br)
Chapter(s): Chicagoland West Suburban
ALCHEMY
2003
(Back) Greg Lee (L), Jerry Metzo (Bs), (Front) Dan Smith Jr. (T), Matt MacFadyen (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook
ACES HIGH
2002
Joel “Opie” Lancaster (T), Chuck Sisson (L), Joe Krones (Bs), Kevin Keller (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, West Peoria Metro
CHEERS!
2001
Steve Davis (T), Bill Griffel (L), Gerry Metzo (Bs), Joey Yates (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook
CHICAGO SWING
2000
Bob Tempas (T), Greg Lee (L), Ray Palmateer (Bs), Tim Pashon (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Sterling Rock Falls
BY POPULAR DEMAND
1999
Clockwise from left: Rick Anthoney (T), Jim Larson (Br), Joe Krones (Bs), George Harper (L)
Chapter(s): Frank Thorne, Lombard, Peoria
BRAVO!
1998
Joel “Opie” Lancaster (T), Jeff Lathom (L), Tom Kentish (Bs), Kirk Wood (Br)
Chapter(s): Frank Thorne, Northbrook, Champaign Urbana
SHARPER IMAGE
1997
Mark Keever (Br), Ron Rank (L), Steve Duncan (Bs), Tim Carter (T)
Chapter(s): Lombard, Aurora
GENUINE CRAFT
1996
Doug Brooks (T), Dennis Reed (L), Joe Krones (Bs), Andy Sauder (Br)
Chapter(s): Peoria, Rock Island, Springfield
RENAISSANCE
1995
Gregg Peters (T), George Harper (L), Tom Kentish (Bs), Jim Larson (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Lombard
COMMON GROUND
1994
Steve Coon (T), Chuck Sisson (L), Dick Kingdon (Br), Doug Smith (Bs)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Lombard, Springfield
ECHO LANE
1993
Clockwise from top: Mike Brooks (Br), John Muir (L), Andy Isbell (Bs), Scott Brooks (T)
Chapter(s): Champaign Urbana
FASCINATIN’ RHYTHM
1992
Clockwise from top: Doug Smith (Bs), Dave Valpatik (T), Joe Bourke (Br), Dennis Stern (L)
Chapter(s): Lombard, Elgin, Northbrook
PIPER’S ALLEY
1991
Clockwise from top: Kirk Wood (Br), Rick Anthoney (T), Scott Kitzmiller (Bs), Paul Fernando (L)
Chapter(s): Champaign Urbana, Lombard
CLASSIC RING
1990
Jim Arns (Br), Scott Diehl (Bs), Don Deegan (L), Gregg Peters (T)
Chapter(s): Lombard, Northbrook
DEBUT
1989
Doug Brooks (T), Drayton Justus (L), Vern Knapp (Bs), John Muir (Br)
Chapter(s): Champaign Urbana, Coles County
FOUR STAR REVUE
1988
Doug Wehrwein (T), Dick Johnson (L), George Peters (Bs), Lynn Hauldren (Br)
Chapter(s): Chicago No. 1, Joliet, Fox River Valley, Northbrook
CHORDIAC ARREST
1987
Russ Foris (Br), Ron Rank (L), Jake Corrough (Bs), Gene Woolcott (T)
Chapter(s): Lombard
LUCKY DAY
1986
Scot Berry (T), Tim Reynolds (L), Dave Anderson (Bs), Rich Fredrick (Br)
Chapter(s): Northbrook, Joliet
CHICAGO CHORD OF TRADE
1985
Tim McShane (T), Chuck Sisson (L), Don Bagley (Bs), Dick Kingdon (Br)
Chapter(s): Arlington Heights, Lombard, Oak Lawn
CHIEFS OF STAFF
1984
Clockwise from top: Vern Knapp (Bs), John Muir (Br), Joe Bourke (L), Al Josephson (T)
Chapter(s): Champaign Urbana
AT EASE
1983
Clockwise from top: Jim Foley (Br), Ben Williams (L), Dave Boo (Bs), John Erickson (T)
Chapter(s): DuPage Valley, Lombard
BENCHMARKS
1982
Doug Wehrwein (T), Bob Breidert (L), Joe Sullivan (Br), Don Bagley (Bs)
Chapter(s): Arlington Heights, Fox River Valley
TIN PAN ALLIES
1981
Doug Smith (Bs), Dick Kingdon (L), Mark Keever (Br), Rick Anthoney (T)
Chapter(s): Elgin, South Cook, Lombard
FRIENDS
1980
Ray Henders (T), Butch Koth (L), Tom Felgen (Bs), Greg Wright (Br)
Chapter(s): Arlington Heights, Chicago No. 1
CHICAGO NEWS
1979
Al Mueller (T), Lyle Wilson (L), Bob Cearnal (Bs), Rich Pilch (Br)
Chapter(s): Waterloo, Belleville, Collinsville
MALE DELIVERY
1978
Clockwise from top: Ed Chapman (Bs), Dean Ramga (L), Tim McEvilly (Br), Steve Burkhardt (T)
Chapter(s): Ottawa, Bloomington, DuPage Valley
CANDIDATES
1977
Clockwise from top: Gene Anthony (T), Walt Martin (L), Carl Missele (Br), Don Lowe (Bs)
Chapter(s): Elgin
VALLEY FOUR-GERS
1976
Al Mueller (T), Rich Pilch (Br), Dennis McCann (Bs), Hal Maples (L)
Chapter(s): Belleville, Collinsville
FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES
1975
Top to bottom: Paul Gulder (Bs), Ed Clark (Br), Bob Hunt (T), Dave Smith (L)
Chapter(s): Arlington Heights
PIPERS
1974
Jim Foley (Br), Ed Chapman (Bs), Ben Williams (L), Bob Zimny (T)
Chapter(s): Arlington Heights, Elgin
SATURDAY’S HEROES
1973
Bob Mueller (T), Walt King (L), Jack Baird (Br), John Jordan (Bs)
Chapter(s): Southwest Suburban
CLOSE HARMONY COMMITTEE
1972
Ray Henders (T), Joe Coburn (L), Don Bagley (Bs), Dan Wolfe (Br)
Chapter(s): Arlington Heights, Detroit No.1 Michigan
SOUNDTRACKS
1971
Top to bottom: Chuck Lewis (Bs), Al Draper (Br), Jim Stahly (T), Jack Aldridge (L)
Chapter(s): Bloomington
IDEALS
1970
Dick Johnson (L), Bob Toby (T), George Peters (Bs), Bob Menter (Br)
Chapter(s): Q-Suburban, Southwest Suburban, Hobart Indiana
CHORDS UNLIMITED
1969
Jay Giallombardo (L), John Miller (Bs), Hank Brandt (Br), Jeff Calhoun (T). (Note: Jay and Hank switched parts for the 1970 International contest and it remained that way thereafter.)
Chapter(s): North Shore
GRANDMA’S BOYS
1968
Dick Reed (T), Joe Warren (L), Bob Meredith (Bs), Joe Sullivan (Br)
Chapter(s): Alington Heights, County Line, Skokie Valley, Rockford
AVANT GARDE
1967
Rudy Sikler (T), Tony Fileccia (L), Jack Baird (Br), Jim Beck (Bs)
Chapter(s): Southtown, Southwest Suburban
BARBERSHARPS
1966
Clockwise from top: Dave Brady (Bs), Greg Wright (T), Larry Wright (L), Doug Miller (Br)
Chapter(s): South Cook
SUNDOWNERS
1965
Tom Parrish (L), Dick Soderburg (T), Tom Noble (Br), Wayne Drury (Bs)
Chapter(s): North Shore
GOLD COAST FOUR
1964
Top to bottom: Jim Bond (Bs), Dick Johnson (Br), Bob Menter (L), Clair DeFrew (T)
Chapter(s): Q-Suburban
VARIETIES
1963
Eddie Jensen (Br), Bob Brock (Bs), Joe Warren (L), Harry Klepsteen (T)
Chapter(s): Skokie Valley, County Line
IMPOSTERS
1962
Jim Bond (Bs), Gil Stammer (Br), Don Marth (T), Bob “Squeek” Tilton (L)
Chapter(s): Q-Suburban
ESCAPADES
1961
Bob Potts (Br), Bob Park (L), Gerry Girard (T), Chuck Lewis (Bs)
Chapter(s): Bloomington
FOUR BARONS
1960
Bob Meredith (Br), John Barnard (L), Dick Svanoe (Bs), Jim Marich (T)
Chapter(s): Rockford
TIMBRE KINGS
1959
Jack Moore (L), Bob Maurus (Br), Max Lauser (T), Bob Livesay (Bs)
Chapter(s): Rock Island
VI-COUNTS
1958
Clockwise from top: Tom Felgen (Bs), Jim Maher (Br), Warren “Buzz” Haeger (T), Joe Sullivan (L)
Chapter(s): Skokie Valley
FOUR RENEGADES
1957
Gus Horschke (T), Bill Reynolds (L), Chuck Lukes (Bs), Tom Crawford (Br)
Chapter(s): Pioneer
MELODAIRS
1956
Roy Bassett (T), Larry Siler (L), Willis Wood (Br), Jim McDonald (Bs)
Chapter(s): Champaign Urbana
KORDALLAIRES
1955
Clockwise from top: Warren “Buzz” Haeger (T), Bob “Squeek” Tilton (L), Bruce Johnson (Br), Jim Bond (Bs)
Chapter(s): Skokie Valley
FOUR TISSIMOS
1954
Tom Powell (T), Jim Moses (L), Stan Sharpe (Br), Paul Sudberry (Bs)
Chapter(s): Pekin
KORD KUTTERS
1953
Wayne “Doc” Ruggles (T), Al Hobik (L), Ward Solberg (Bs), Bob Jackson (Br)
Chapter(s): Oak Park
KORD KINGS
1952
Bob Maurus (T), Bob Lindley (Br), Cal Stuhr (Bs), Bruce Conover (L)
Chapter(s): Rock Island
VIKINGS
1951
Jim Bond (Bs), Rex Reeve (Br), Clair DeFrew (T), Dave Mittlestadt (L)
Chapter(s): Palos Heights
VILLAGEAIRES
1950
Clockwise from top left: Emmett Bossing (T), Tom Watts (Bs), Bill McKnight (L), Bob “Moose” Haeger (Br)
Chapter(s): Q-Suburban
BARBER-Q-FOUR
1949
Ward Chase (L), Al Domeruth (T), Eddie Jensen (Br), Bob Corbett (Bs)
Chapter(s): Southtown Chapter
CHICAGOANS
1948
Doc Higgins (T), Tay Yearsley (L), Tommy Guarini (Br), Matt Hannon (Bs)
Chapter(s): Chicago No. 1
BIG TOWNERS
1947
George Kledzik (T), Marty Mendro (L), Forrey Haynes (Br), Bob Corbett (Bs)
Chapter(s): Chicago No. 1
MID STATES FOUR
1946
No contest held this year due to wartime restrictions
Chapter(s):
NO CONTEST
1945
Walter Chambers (Bs), Harold Gray (T), John Gustafson (Br), Louis Coopmans (L)
Chapter(s): Rock Island
CHORDOLIERS
1944
John McNeeley (T), Fred Sahlender (L), Frank Dragoo (Br), Tom O’Heren (Bs)
Chapter(s): Springfield
HARMONY KINGS
1943
